World Bank helps Mekong Delta tackle climate change

The World Bank is funding a rural development project to help the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam improve its climate change resilience.

A WB delegation introduced the US$300 million project to officials of An Giang province at a working session on December 3.

According to the project head Anjali Acharya, the scheme aims to find inter-sectoral and regional solutions to improve livelihood for locals in different areas.

Rice paddies in the Mekong River Delta are threatened by climate change. Photo: Huu Chi

It will support the delta in building an information system and enhancing institutional capabilities in dealing with climate change, she said.

Climate change has caused economic losses estimated at VND1.5 trillion (US$71.4 million) over the past five years in An Giang, according to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Do Vu Hung.

Local authorities are focusing on programmes to restructure agriculture, develop subsidiary food crops, aquatic production, animal husbandry, and conserve protection forests, he added.

Comprising 12 provinces and one centrally-run city, the Mekong Delta plays an important role in the nation’s economic growth. However, the region is vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea level and saltwater intrusion.

Scientists predict that a one-metre rise in sea levels could result in 70% of the Mekong Delta being affected by saltwater intrusion. As a result, Vietnam would lose two million hectares of farmland, and many coastal localities would be submerged underwater.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)